Early 2010 NBA Draft thoughts for Portland
by rip_city_swagger on Apr 8, 2010 1:56 PM PDT
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PrintI want to kick this post off by saying 1) Portland has done a great job building through the draft, most of our team was drafted (or traded for during the draft) by the Blazers, and 2) I think we royally screwed up our last draft (2009). With minimal maneuvering we could have had Ty Lawson/Darren Collison and DeJuan Blair. It's not a knock on Cunningham, Penergraph, or Claver, but we could have had 2 guys at positions of need that have been very productive this season. For a team like the Blazers - who will be drafting in the 20's for the foreseeable future, the draft is a great way to add some talent at positions of need on the cheap.
So - the 2010 NBA Draft! What do we need? Who is out there that would fit our team? Will they be available when we pick?
In my opinion, we'd be best served adding a PG that can take over for Andre once his contract is up (Jerryd Bayless is NOT a PG, sorry), or a front court shotblocker/rebounder as Oden/Pryz insurance in case we can't get Camby back (and both he and Juwan are getting old anyway, and Pendy isn't quite what we need in there) We will probably only be able to grab 1 real impact player, as we probably won't keep whoever we draft at the end of the 2nd round.
So - what players in the draft could fill those roles for us?
Right now it's looking like we will be picking in the 19-22 range - and there are few players there that would be solid pickups. There are not many PGs in this draft, but it's possible Eric Bledsoe from Kentucky could be around at that point - and I think he would be a great grab. The big men provide a lot more options, and I think if we got someone like Hassan Whiteside, Daniel Orton, Gani Lawal, Solomon Alabi...they'd all be solid backup/insurance for us inside. I wouldn't mind us drafting a guy like Gordon Hayward either.
And who knows, if we bring over Kopponen and Freeland maybe we don't need any rooks from this class! I just love the NBA Draft and wanted to start thinking about Portland's approach this year.
What do you all think? Positions of need? Particular players to target? Best strategy/approach to the draft this year?
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everyone needs to get over the "rex is not a PG" stuff
I know this isn’t the intent of your post but you put it in there so you asked for it.
PG is a position you play in an offense. Magic Johnson played all five positions during his career! Just because Brex shoots first, passes second doesn’t mean he’s not a PG. There are lots of NBA point guards that have similar games. This has been discussed into the ground before here on BE. I don’t know why you would bring it up again.
because he's not
I get what you’re saying…but if you watch games – you see the drop-off between when Andre Miller is on the floor and when Bayless is out there, I’ve seen Nate pull Bayless and get Miller back in at least 6-7 times this season because Jerryd can’t manage the flow of the game and set the tempo
the PG position is more than being a “pass-first” guy – it’s about being a floor leader, setting the temp, managing the game, getting guys involved – that’s why its such a tough position to play. Jerryd doesn’t have that element to his game, he’s a scorer in the Ben Gordon mold. Not a knock on him – it’s just like Monta Ellis – it’s just not part of his game
At the same time you see a guy like Collison come in and “get it” right away. We need a guy like that to run the point for us
I bring it up again because way too many people think he’s a PG – and he’s just not – you can call it lead guard, the 1, the point, whatever – that’s just not Jerryd’s game
by rip_city_swagger on Apr 8, 2010 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Funny thing though
The General Manager, Coach and Owner seem to disagree with you. Bayless is a point guard and that is the position he plays. He is not a polished point guard but his upside may be far higher than those others you cite. Darren Collison played four years at UCLA under a coach who could develop young players. Bayless played one year under less than ideal coaching circumstances beyond Jerryd’s control and was not allowed to play point guard. Main point is it is too early to judge this draft and the critical question is not who has play the best but who fits this team’s needs the best.
- In Spain there is the impression that you have to butter McMillan up to play in Portland ..."
"I do not know. I don´t think so. McMillan has a philosophy of play and I don´t think that will change by giving him a hug." - Rudy Fernandez (compliments of Amlmart1)
are you sure they disagree with me?
just because he’s 6’3" and he “plays” that position doesn’t mean he IS a PG…you’re missing my point. If you define "polished " as understanding how to manage a game, control tempo, get everyone involved by getting them the ball in the locations and situations they like to operate in, then yes, Jerryd lacks “polish” for sure. There are just guys (Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Chris Paul, Deron WIlliams, Rajon Rondo, etc.) that get the position and play it well at the NBA level. Bayless is just not that type of player – he is more a Monta Ellis, Ben Gordon type of player that’s an undersized, scoring 2-guard. That does not make him a PG.
Your point about their college experience is totally correct, but that doesn’t make the difference between a legit PG and a guy that is a scoring guard – you either have it or you don’t – good coaching just develops it and refines it
And it’s too early to judge this draft???? Considering that the college season is over than the draft is 2 months away, I’d say its a pretty decent time to judge this draft – and yes of course it’s about who fits the best – DID YOU EVEN READ MY POST? What I am trying to discuss was what the Blazers want/need with our 1st round pick – if we keep it – and which available players fit those needs
by rip_city_swagger on Apr 9, 2010 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions
BPA.
If we stay with our pick, I would keep an eye on Larry Sanders (F/C, VCU), Soloman Alabi (C, Florida State), Quincy Pondexer (F, Washington) and James Anderson (G/F, Oklahoma State). If either Hassan Whiteside (C, Marshall) or Ekpe Udoh (F/C, Baylor) slip down to our range, they are good targets as well.
by jksnake99 on Apr 8, 2010 2:46 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Gordon Hayward is sure to come up as well. I don’t see the Blazers drafting him though, even though he could go in our range and I think he can be an NBA rotation player.
by jksnake99 on Apr 8, 2010 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
We may not agree on many things, but there is one topic where I seem to almost alway agree with you - The Draft
I agreed with your ideas last year and I agree with your ideas this year.
Common Ground….who knew?
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bump
KP also seems to like the euros late as well in terms of value. or maybe this year a trade out of the first so as to not have any new cap hits?
that's what I'd do
but KP is just as likely to take one of his assets (Webster?) and trade up to grab a player that he’s targeted
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
i agree on the others but I think Pondexter and Anderson are duplication of Webster/Batum too much, we need a big or a PG
by rip_city_swagger on Apr 8, 2010 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions
One of them would make a nice backup or 3rd stringer, making Martell less essential.
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
totally agree
Udoh or Whiteside would be perfect IMO
by rip_city_swagger on Apr 9, 2010 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions
So what kind of minimal maneuvering are you talking about?
With minimal maneuvering we could have had Ty Lawson/Darren Collison and DeJuan Blair. It’s not a knock on Cunningham, Penergraph, or Claver, but we could have had 2 guys at positions of need that have been very productive this season.
Like what you like, enjoy what you enjoy,
don't be afraid to make slurping sounds,
and don't take crap from anybody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae-5q8MaSSU
yeah i totally hate thoughts like that
Because “With minimal maneuvering we could have had Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Brook Lopez, Kevin Martin, Paul Milsap, all led by Michael Jordan as well!!”
Lets just go back and pick up all the players that became stars, BEFORE they were stars and therefore get the best investment on out draft picks.
That is not the way life works you make the best pick at the time with the info oyou have and then history will determine the rest.
i just really dislike any post that goes back and pines for what could of been, IF we had drafted such and such, we didn’t and we need to support the team we have.
On topic, BPA is the only choice.
Bayless and Roy= Fire and Ice (TM)
Spread the word
Agreed
We didn’t need to move up on Blair, we passed him up because he had medical concerns having no ACLs.
Who knew Collison would be as good as he is? Look at Stephen Curry, who’s doing awesome, and now look at Hasheem Thabeet?
Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don’t, but if Blazer management felt that there was someone out there they really liked, they’d move up to get them.
However, about 50% of draftees are busts. Stick to young free agents and you’ve got better chances, even if they are more expensive.
Elitism - It's lonely at the top. But it's comforting to look down upon everyone at the bottom.
by thankyouforblaze on Apr 8, 2010 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions
easy killa
I put up a post BEFORE the draft, so according to you “BEFORE they were stars”, saying that Blair and Collison or Lawson would be awesome to have…so this isn’t a hindsight suggestion
and moving up from pick #22 to pick #20 isn’t the same as any of the guys you listed (although yes, we could have had Chris Paul) What do you think we would have had to give up to move up 2 spots at that point in the draft? Maybe this year’s 1st rounder – so what – if it’s the right guy and right fit for us.
by rip_city_swagger on Apr 8, 2010 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Victor Claver is developing to be a much greater asset already - time is needed to judge the outcome
- In Spain there is the impression that you have to butter McMillan up to play in Portland ..."
"I do not know. I don´t think so. McMillan has a philosophy of play and I don´t think that will change by giving him a hug." - Rudy Fernandez (compliments of Amlmart1)
by lee3022 on Apr 8, 2010 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Doesn't matter
You pulled the “we should of drafted x,y, or z instead of…” card, which does not work.
Regardless whether or not you wanted them predraft, they were not drafted and the others were.
We could of had Paul, we could of had KD and Lopez and all the other players as they were late 1st or 2nd round picks but we have the players we have.
Bayless and Roy= Fire and Ice (TM)
Spread the word
by SpyderRyder on Apr 8, 2010 11:15 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
you're missing the point
I was stating that I thought we missed an opportunity to get a couple players at positions of need in last year’s draft, and was examining what we need this year and what players that could be available when we draft fit those needs
It’s not as much looking back and regretting what we did…I just think we missed on a couple of guys last year – and hopefully we could get someone that fills a need this year
by rip_city_swagger on Apr 9, 2010 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions
we could have moved some future picks, maybe traded one of our Euro prospects to move up the spot or 2 it would have taken
by rip_city_swagger on Apr 8, 2010 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions
The problem I see with trading up
is that we may have burned our bridges to willing trading partners. I know, that’s just scuttlebut. I can understand the pass on Blair, but I agree it would have been nice to have gotten Collison or Lawson (Lawson was definitely within our range) especially in hindsight. Maybe we tried and didn’t succeed?
To summarize: Wade too quick, Kobe too skilled, LeBron too physical - Batum
It woul dhave been nice to pick up an effective player in the first round but it was all strategic
An international pick does not hurt our cap, and 1st round picks are guaranteed contracts.
I’m not familiar enough with some of the prospects this year, yet. So i won’t jump to any rash conlcusion of what we need and who we should go after. I have a small feeling we may be trading our 1st round pick and getting a player already in the league.
Being a Blazer fan is not exactly healthy.
An international pick does not hurt our cap, if they don’t come over, and 1st round picks are guaranteed contracts.
Being a Blazer fan is not exactly healthy.
True but we are not under the cap again for a substantial time and they don't cost against luxury tax
Making the mechanical pencils in Vulcan feel better.
- In Spain there is the impression that you have to butter McMillan up to play in Portland ..."
"I do not know. I don´t think so. McMillan has a philosophy of play and I don´t think that will change by giving him a hug." - Rudy Fernandez (compliments of Amlmart1)
I think your premise that we could have easily gotten Collison or Lawson is debatable
Denver specifically traded up to the 18th spot. Presumably their target was Lawson all along. The picks just ahead of that were never said to be available, and unless we were willing to give up an actual player, it is unlikely we could have trumped Denver’s offer to Minnesota for the pick.
New Orleans picked Collison just ahead of us. Obviously they would not have traded us the pick so we could take their guy. Atlanta and Utah had the two picks between Lawson and Collison. I can recall hearing nothing about either one shopping their pick. I suppose we could have overpaid to move up a few spots, but what would you have wanted to give up? I don’t think cash alone would have worked.
For all we know, KP very well may have tried his best to move up a few spots – in fact, this was speculated heavily at the time – but it takes two to tango, and if no one ahead of us was willing to sell, then it doesn’t matter. Making the assertion that we screwed up by not moving up, and implying we could have just done it had we wanted too, is really making a claim that we have no way to back up. The absence of a deal does not equate the unwillingness to make one.
As for Blair, we certainly could have picked him up – three different times. For whatever reason, we didn’t want him. While I think Pendy is destined to be a deep bench guy for his entire career, he’s a good dude to have around, and Dante has very solid skills. I’m pretty happy with those two picks.
Since roster space and cap space were both of primary concern last summer, taking Claver was a logical choice at the time, and remains a good low risk move.
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
by douglast on Apr 8, 2010 3:28 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
KP very well may have tried his best to move up a few spots – in fact, this was speculated heavily at the time
KPs target was Hansbrough, not any of the PGs in last year’s class. Only Bedgers liked the PGs from last year’s class, not the Blazers (except for Mills, of course…) For KP to pick another PG in the first round last year, it would be akin to admitting that he messed up his lottery pick on Bayless the year before
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
meant to say...two years before on Bayless
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
you were right the first time
bayless was picked in the 2008 draft. we are talking about draft day 2009. So yeah, one year before. And yes, you are right, picking a PG would have been admiting bayless wasn’t our guy. the only way you do that is if you trade bayless on draft day.
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
yeah I guess I was right, I was thinking about the years 2008 and 2010
but drafting Collison or Lawson last year would’ve been like Nash drafting CP3 in ‘06 after picking Bassy in ’05. It’s a rare GM who will go that far to select the BPA in successive drafts at the same position, although I suppose KP could have justified it by saying Collison is our future PG and Jerryd is now our backup to Brandon (and say buh-bye to Rudy?)
but I’m glad he didn’t, I’m not crazy of a backcourt tandem where the tallest guard tops out at 6’1
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Hey Minnesota did it in consecutive picks last year!
But it is rare. Need has to play a bigger role with a salary cap and a 15-man roster than in football or baseball.
- In Spain there is the impression that you have to butter McMillan up to play in Portland ..."
"I do not know. I don´t think so. McMillan has a philosophy of play and I don´t think that will change by giving him a hug." - Rudy Fernandez (compliments of Amlmart1)
the jury is still out re: if David Kahn was a genius or just desperate
Besides, Rubio and Flynn aren’t exactly competing for playing time
Bucky Buckwalter drafted Terry Porter when he already had Darnell Valentine and Steve Colter. So I’ve seen it work before (the excess players get traded for other pieces)
I just read what KP said about “catching players in their sweet spot” and that makes me think that unless he sees a really special PG in the first round of the draft, he’s going to sick with acquiring veterans at that position who have some prior playoff experience
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Well put as usual douglast.
Like what you like, enjoy what you enjoy,
don't be afraid to make slurping sounds,
and don't take crap from anybody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae-5q8MaSSU
3 times actually
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
I'd pass on him again.
He only does too things good.
Stand in the paint and get boards.
He kills ball movement and stops other people from driving by hunkering down.
But maybe that would work on this team with all the jump shooting.
dinasour type of guys choir boys
He owns the paint
and he owns it with quickness just as much as size.
He’s exceptional on the offensive glass and is creative putting the ball in the basket both in the course of the play and off all his put backs. He improves efficiency outside of the normal course of a simple Nate McMillan play. He’d have been a gigantic asset here.
Read this response after posting above
but have to agree with what your saying. We can’t know for sure that we didn’t try to move up and it just didn’t work out.
To summarize: Wade too quick, Kobe too skilled, LeBron too physical - Batum
that's totally possible
I’m not saying they didn’t try – I just see three very productive rookies for Western conference teams, at positions of need for us, that are not on our team, that we probably could have had if we went after them hard enough – that’s all, they very well could have tried to get them and if the asking price was too high then I totally support them NOT doing it
by rip_city_swagger on Apr 9, 2010 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions
as to the 2010 draft
I’d say PG is a no go. We can’t afford to try and develop one over the next couple seasons, and John Wall isn’t walking through the door, so we need to go another route to get our post-Miller point guard.
Wing depth, should we trade Martell, Bayless, and/or Rudy, and depth at the 4/5 would be the draft targets in my mind.
"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare
agreed. let's trade for a young PG already in the NBA
so that he can learn, but not be a 4 year project. We need someone who can come in immediately and produce behind Dre.
however, if we keep our first round pick, there are some big men i’d be interested in checking out as a third Center/ PF.
Elitism - It's lonely at the top. But it's comforting to look down upon everyone at the bottom.
by thankyouforblaze on Apr 8, 2010 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions
What about Cole Aldrich, Kansas?
Draft reviews keep comparing him to Przybilla, which sounds like just who we might need if Pryz himself can’t get all the way back and Camby, as I expect, will be too expensive. Aldrich seems to be rated anywhere from 6-20 so it may not entail moving up that far.
Trading Bayless seems inevitable as Nate just doesn’t seem to like run-and-gun players; even Miller learned the “lesson”: NO TURNOVERS! So players like Bayless, Sergio, and Mills will never thrive here and it should be difficult to find a “safe” PG who will distribute and hit open shots.
Cole is projected for the lottery - maybe top 5-10
- In Spain there is the impression that you have to butter McMillan up to play in Portland ..."
"I do not know. I don´t think so. McMillan has a philosophy of play and I don´t think that will change by giving him a hug." - Rudy Fernandez (compliments of Amlmart1)
That was before he failed to improve as much as expected this year.
While talent always wins out eventually, I think it is easier to find talented PGs and wing players with lower picks; good bigs are a luxury.
Aldrich will go top 15 at least - he won't fall to where w'ere drafting
and actually, there are only two legit PGs in the draft this year – the 2 Kentucky guys (Wall, Bledsoe), so for this draft at least, they will be harder to come by
by rip_city_swagger on Apr 9, 2010 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions
I bet KP and other GM's do this, but I've never thought about it that much.
With all the rookie PG’s drafted last year, there must be something of an abundance of previously employed PG’s out of work or barely hanging on. Perhaps Dernier is one of them. There will also be other 3rd and 4th year players let go or available for a low price. I’m still of the opinion that you go for the best big guy with the highest draft pick you can manage and look to these other groups for your second- and third-teamers.
all of the stud rookie PGs this year went in the first round
I’m all for the Best Player Available (BPA) strategy, and then working the lineup out later, as long as the player is a good fit, both personality wise and style of play.
But I wouldn’t say that we should just take a big – no matter what in the first and save the guards for a later round
And we’re gonna need to start grooming a PG soon to be a starter, not a 2nd or 3rd teamer. When Andres contract is up we’re gonna have to have someone waiting in the wings. That player could possibly be someone already in the league on another team, but its not too often that teams let a really good point guard leave in their prime
by rip_city_swagger on Apr 9, 2010 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd like for the blazers to put a package together to go after Darren Collison.
CP is obviously a pipe dream, but DC is playing extremely well, and would fit perfectly on our team. The issue is would New Orleans bite? If you look at NO, their biggest weakness is at 2/3. They absolutely need a solid swingman, and that is a position at which the blazers have an abundance of players. Could we swap Rudy Fernandez for Darren Collison? Or maybe Martell? Then we can throw in Jerryd Bayless as well.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
Bayless and Webster
for Collison and Morris Petersen, it worked on the trade machine. Portland takes on some extra salary ($600,000) but Petersen has 2 years left on a $5 million contract Webster has 4 years left on a $4 million contract.
Funny, isn't it, how our once lauded depth
is now our second team “weakness”; for playoffs, like most teams, we seem to have to keep 1 or 2 starters in all the time.
considering we don't have greg, joel, outlaw, and blake anymore
our depth advantage has already been utilized just by looking at our standings.
"There are a few teams you have to watch out for in the fourth quarter."
"Yeah, but Portland definitely is not one of them."
-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters at the end of the third quarter with the Hornets leading 74-59. Portland later ends up winning 97-89.
"They don't mind him shooting that shot at all. Rudy Fernandez is not that great of a 3pt shooter."
-New Orleans Hornets broadcasters right after a Rudy Fernandez missed 3pter. Rudy Fernandez finished the game with three 3pters on six attempts.
by Tofu Anonymous on Apr 8, 2010 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions
actually they could sign me for whatever extra they need to make the trade work
and id be willing to take a 80% cut in any buyout
Wait a minute... did someone say Bayless is not a PG?
Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.
We need UDOH
I am hoping the Blazers get Ekpe Udoh, 6’-10" PF/ C from Bayler Stud, Hakeem Olajuan clone who can dribble the ball down court (like he did against full court pressure in the NCAA playoffs), create his own shot, 10X the offensive skills of Oden, Shot blocker, good defense, and runs like Kevin Durant.
NBADRAFT.NET has Blazers picking Kyle Singler, who would be good but is just like Rudy. I would take Udoh in a heart beat.
Whoever we draft
I hope he didn’t wear a t-shirt during his college games.
by tingeyga on Apr 9, 2010 9:54 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
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